April 2, 2012 -- On April 1, 2012, the Japan-America Society of Oregon presented the 2012 “Sakura Sunday” at the Japanese American Historical Plaza.

The second annual event held special meaning as it celebrated the friendship between the United States and Japan. In fact, Portland's waterfront cherry trees were a gift to the City of Portland from the Japanese Grain Importers Association in 1989.

Sakura Sunday included a riverfront gathering where citizens sent well-wishes to Japan and dropped flowers into the Willamette River. Citizens were also treated to a water-display by Portland Fire & Rescue’s Fireboat David Campbell.